Bucktown Barber Shop

Closed.
I went by today and this place appears to be closed. The signs have all been removed, the blinds were down and the door was locked.

Bucktown Barber Shop is owned and operated by beloved barber Norm. I’ve tried barbers all over Chicago — the Loop, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Old Town etc. and Norm is by far my favorite. The shop recently relocated from Armitage to 2111 N. Western Ave. The new location is never too busy and has a nice laid back vibe. Come to the shop for a great cut and for great conversation. Norm started taking reservations over the phone — give him a ring at (773) 234‑5044, you won’t regret it!

Straightforward barbershop where you can get a good «regular haircut» (as Norm calls it). Good conversation and good people-​watching out the window onto Western.

As I usually do when trying out new places, I never mention that I’ve heard of the place or anything like that in order to get as much of an authentic experience as possible. And this is what I discovered…
Positives:
— Norm was a nice guy
— No wait (but I went on Friday at noon)
Negatives:
— I get a «buzz cut,» #4 on top and 2 on the sides. So this is by no means a difficult haircut. However, it is important to be precise and patient to make sure everything is even all around. Norm was the exact opposite. Impatient, rushed, careless.
— Small cuts around ears
— Afterwards, Norm mentioned something about it being time for lunch, which normally would be a fine comment, but in this case just reaffirmed his pre-​haircut attitude of «just get through this as quick as possible»
— Price was $ 20. Definitely steep. I didn’t give him a tip because that is what I pay (tops) including tip at any other shop. Not sure if he even expected a tip (he didn’t make any sort of passive aggressive gesture), and maybe that’s the reason he charges $ 20 to begin with. Who knows.
Overall, while the haircut was FINE (again, with a buzz cut minor miscues are amplified), I wouldn’t go back after weighing the positives and negatives.

I’ve been going to Norm, the owner of Bucktown Barbershop for a couple of years now. He’s a great guy and 9 out of 10 times I’ve get a pretty solid cut. Sometimes Norm can get distracted with chit chatting in old shop however. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s part of the barbershop experience afterall. But his chit chatting can get him sidetracked on focusing on your fade, and it can sometimes take a little longer than necessary to get in and get your hair did. If norm could be a little more efficient with time he’d get a five star rating.

First time in here. Half price cuts on Tuesday. Norm the barber is a talker but will make you laugh the whole time. Good cuts, good conversation, exactly what you want your barber to be.

Saw the Bucktown Barbershop on my way home and decided to stop in for a haircut. Great experience! Norm the barber was quick, precise and great to talk to. When you close your eyes and think of what a barbershop should be, it’s the Bucktown barbershop, so no need to imagine, just go there!

If you like the old school barbershop then this is your place.
From the stories that Norm will tell you to all his childhood friends that either drop in or just hang out, you feel like you are back in time. On top of that, you get a GREAT hair cut for a good price finished of with a straight razor clean up. I have been going to Norm for over 10 years and I don’t see anything changing.
Thanks Norm

Norm’s the shit. Top notch barber… hell it’s in his blood. A White Sox Fan, just don’t get him started and the toys in the glass case are his, HA! Has a ton of great stories from his childhood to yesterday.
Hey Boricua still taking those guitar lessons?

Just had my first visit last p.m. I strolled in about 10 past 6. Norm greeted me with a smile and told me to come on in, despite it being past closing time. Off to a good start.
In this day of the male salon (of which I’ve tried a couple), it was nice to be back in a no-​nonsense bastion of manhood. From the conversation to the mags., this place was a throwback to barbershops of old.
If you’re looking for tvs, techno music pumping, and a manicure this isn’t your spot. However, if you want a good haircut with no frills this will be right up your alley.
Norm kept the conversation lively and the work was top-​notch. $ 25 for a normal haircut, but I will be going back in the future.
Parking is easy and the Armitage bus stops right out front.